Parents Could Shoulder Cost If Kids Set Roseville Fire

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — The Roseville Fire Department officially declared a fire near Maidu Park in Roseville was arson, but they are still looking for more information.

The 30-acre fire burned a portion of the park, as well as four homes and a gazebo.

News that the blaze was intentionally set upset residents.

“It makes you a little angry when you see the damage and you see what could have happened in the neighborhood here,” said Marilyn Rakow.

Detectives aren’t saying much about what evidence they’ve uncovered, but they still don’t have enough to make an arrest.

“It’s kind of nerve-racking,” said resident Raul Martinez. “I live a half-mile that way and to have somebody pull that kind of stunt in this neighborhood is really unexpected.”

The fire’s estimated $1 million cost could be shouldered by whomever is found responsible for the fire. If juveniles seen running from the park around the time of the 30-acre fire are the culprits, their parents would also shoulder the burden.

As homeowners clean up the damage, there’s still a sense of uncertainty about why someone would set that fire, but people in the Roseville neighborhood are glad nobody was hurt.

“It could have been much worse,” Rakow said.

Roseville Police have set up a hotline, hoping it will give them the information they need to make an arrest. The number is 916 774-5070.